Half of the construction workers in Texas are undocumented, according to a new report by an Austin immigrant rights group and University of Texas researchers.
The report estimates that as many as 400,000 undocumented immigrants work in construction statewide. Those workers receive lower pay than their U.S.-born counterparts and are less likely to receive safety training or be covered by workers’ compensation.
The report concludes the state’s construction industry is dependent on undocumented workers and unable to find enough qualified workers to keep pace with the demand. For more on this report, click here.